Emotions Run High At Vigil For Man Gunned Down In Homewood

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – For the friends and family of 23-year-old Lavar Rich, his murder leaves so many questions and even more emotions.

Jonathan Menefee is Rich’s father. He said, “The past few days for me has been like hell. No parent looks to bury their child.”

A vigil was held Tuesday night for the Homewood man gunned down at the corner of Brushton Avenue and Race Street early Sunday morning.

The motive is unclear as is who fired the shots. What’s obvious is the pain for a family who lost their son and a mother now left to raise Rich’s 2-month-old child without him.

Rich’s aunt said, “We ain’t gonna have no community no more but we want to run around being stupid killing each other. And these mothers out here know what your kids is doing, you just as guilty as your child.”

Somewhere between wiping away tears, the anger set in.

In the middle of the vigil, tense moments arose as people started arguing in the streets. It’s exactly what organizers say they were looking to change.

Michelle Gilmore was the victims friend. She said, “Were trying to take back our streets. This is ridiculous. I was born and raised in this area. We never ever really seen violence like this.”

Pittsburgh Police say the 911 caller told them they heard six shots ring out before watching three men run to a nearby park.